Torsion Box Workbench

My wife & I just finished this workbench for our workshop this weekend. There are still a few things that I could do to it, but I’m not sure that I will quite yet. There is room under the bench for an adjustable shelf system, but I think that would get in the way more often than not. And eventually I might put a face vise on the left side where there’s room. But for now, it’s done.

The base and top are made out of 3/4” pine plywood and 2×4s, glued and screwed every 6”. The screws on the top have been countersunk and then plugged with oak plugs (they were all I could find at short notice). The little tray area in the back is for various tools, to keep them below your work surface. I used a friend’s compound miter saw to cut all of the 2×4s (everything is 90-degree angles, though), and his portable table saw to cut the plywood pieces. Not having the right tools makes a big difference, let me tell you!

I got the plans on the internet from American Woodworker's website. I followed the plans rather blindly, and there are several things that I wish I had done differently. I wouldn’t have cut the top out of 4 pieces, but rather cut it out of one big piece and use a router to open up the tool pocket in back. I’m also unsure about the use of pine plywood for the top—it seems too soft and uneven to me.

I have always liked that bench plan. The fancy furniture benches are pretty but there is something about a bench you don’t have to baby that I really like. The only thing I would add is a masonite sacrificial top.

if you’re woried about the pine plywood top getting beat… try facing it off with 1/8” tempered masonite…. smooth side up…. tack it down with a screw in each corner and replace it when it’s hacked up beyond what you want to continue using.

See if you can scrounge up an old handwheel for your hand screw and you’ll be crankin’ ..... literally :^)

Thank you for all the compliments! I like the table for all of the reasons that you guys have pointed out, especially it being a workbench that I don’t have to worry about getting dinged or cut. I also really like the idea of putting a sacrificial top on it, and I am definitely going to do that. Thanks again!

Very nicely done! I built this same bench almost 2 years ago, and I love it. I wouldn’t worry too much about the top – it will get get dinged and cut and scratched, but, as long as it is flat you’re good to go. I wish you well in your endeavors!

Awesome! I’ve been looking around at plans for workbenches and also settled on this one, I might fit it with a regular bench vise for the end and maybe a few other small modifications but so far, for the price, my skill level and my needs this seems to be just what I’m looking for, great job!

Dan – I built this bench two years ago. It does not move… 0% racking. It is completely solid and have not had any problems with the top.

I did modify the original top plan some. I do like the skirt or 2×6 wrapping I put on. However, I do not care for the Veritas surface vise I use. The other mistake I made is that mine is too wide. Wish I had made it narrower and longer. You can see mine in the project section.

This is a great setup. I have been looking for a bench design like this for a while. I searched for torsion box honeycomb on google and found Sing Core panels, which look kinda neat. I wonder if it would make sense to use those for the top of this bench?